Monrovia – Liberia’s leading integrated logistics services provider, Global Logistics Services (GLS) and InfraCo Africa have signed a historic partnership for the development of Liberia’s first commercial modern storage facility and operations.
At the signing ceremony at GLS office in Monrovia on Tuesday, July 30, the Chief Executive Officer of GLS, Peter Malcolm King revealed that project, worth US$6 million will have a trigger down effect on the Liberian economy by creating jobs and adding value to commodities.
According to Mr. King, the joint venture company, Liberia Inland Storage & Distribution Services Inc. (LISDSI) will build an open-access, temperature-controlled storage facility within the Monrovia Industrial Park off Somalia Drive.
The facility, he stated will provide businesses with over7,500 cubic meter of modern warehouse space, with an option for general and temperature-controlled storage and security options in its first phase.
The operation, which is due to commence in 2020 will incorporate state-of-the-art inventory management systems, loading and unloading capacity, and range of storage temperatures.
LISDSI will be the first of its kind to meet the growing storage needs of small, medium and large companies with the Mano River Union (MRU) and will largely support international development operations for the handling of life-saving medicines and humanitarian aid relief materials.
The facility, he added will operate a throughput, with importers/exporters, organizations and third-party logistics companies securing space requirements for the short to medium-term, and remote last-mile connectivity through distribution services.
The approach will provide operations with flexible access to meet specific storage needs at the appropriate temperatures and quality specifications required.
In addition, LISDSI will improve and develop local capacity in supply chain operations and seek to implement initiatives designed to support local communities with increased development impact.
The possible initiative, he outlined, will include a subsidized seed bank to support our budding local agricultural industry in quality retention, agro-processing, minimal wastage and reduce post-harvest losses.
“The project will also provide mountain of benefits to Liberia’s national development agenda, including improvements to the country’s supply chain infrastructure and processes, healthcare cold-chain logistics quality, reduced food and consumable prices, and increasing our trade potential, while supporting operations to manage their associated risks of doing business in Liberia,” said Mr. King in a statement issued following the signing ceremony.
“GLS and its partner, InfraCo Africa is proud to be taking on this noble project and together reiterated our commitment toward the improvement of our country, Liberia through strategic investments in infrastructure, human capacity and social welfare.”
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of InfraCo Africa, Peter Hutchinson expressed his delight over the partnership to erect the facility which will be the first of its kind in the region.
GLS is Liberia’s premier project logistics and solutions company. It is an integrated logistics services company with a focus on asset acquisition & infrastructure to optimize value chain.
It also specializes in Cargo handling, freight forwarding, customs processing, haulage/transport logistics, stevedoring, vessel handling, heavy equipment logistics, warehousing and inventory management, air and sea-chartered services, packaging and relocations and procurement.